The Ancient Book of Power

Chapter Nineteen: A Big Birthday/Graduation

After a lot of talk it was decided that since Dalbreath's sixth birthday was only a week away, he would be allowed to be the youngest graduate of a Mage School in the history of Avalon, and that on his birthday. After the graduation ceremony at the school there was going to be a birthday/reception at the great gall in town. It still had not been decided where they were all going to move after Dalbreath's graduation. Probably away from Ha Mesh, but several options were being discussed by all the adults in Dalbreath's life.

On the morning after Dalbreath awoke almost fully recovered, Lianonn came in to tell his son goodbye. "I will be back before your graduation slash birthday party, but Islann is taking me home for a few days. I have some urgent business there. But I will be back. Be good and stay in bed like your mommy advises." Then he kissed Dalbreath on the check, and was about to leave when he came back and gave him  a fierce hug.

"You be good," said Lianonn, a few tears streaking down his cheeks.

"I love you too, Daddy," said Dalbreath. "And I will stay in bed for now, although I really don't think I need to. I'm fine."

Lianonn smiled. "Be good. Do it for you mommy. She's still recovering from the fact she almost lost you again." Then more sadly. "We both are. I'll be back before you know it, and with a special birthday present just for you."

"Ooh, I like that. What is it, daddy?"

His eyes twinkled. "It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you now. Soon, Dalbreath, very soon. Bye now. I must go, Islann is waiting for me,"

"Okay daddy, see you when you get back. Bye!"

"Goodbye, my heart." And then he was out the door.

A moment later Dalbreath felt something invisible licking his face. He giggled and put on his magic glasses. Blu was sitting on his belly licking his face with his long tongue. Dalbreath giggled and giggled. "Hey, that tickles." Just then Deearo came in wearing his glasses, and with his cat-dragon perched on his shoulder. "Come on sleepy head. Maurinn said it was okay for you to come out on the terrace. Then Maurinn poked her head in the doorway. "Go on, but just the terrace, and only if you feel up to it."

Dalbreath answered by putting on his slippers and running out with Deearo onto the terrace, with Blu flying along behind them. The boys watched mesmerized as their cat-dragons flew off on the hunt and each came back quickly with a giant grasshopper, which they ceremoniously tossed into the air and then quickly ate head first and then chomped the rest in little deliberate bites, as if they were savoring their grasshoppers. "So amazing," said Dalbreath.

"It's beyond amazing," said Deearo. "It's firmly in the realm of astounding."

"Ah hum," came a voice to their right. They both looked at the same time, and saw Kinnikashee whittling a piece of wood with a small knife.

"Kinnikashee," said Dalbreath. "You're still here. I thought you would have gone back to wherever you're from by now."

"Please, don't send me away, master Dalbreath. I have no place to go. I want to help out in your next adventure. I have already overheard Bekma and Oswaa talking about it, about the great book in the black tower of Istytall. I was there. I can help."

Dalbreath and Deearo made the same hand gestures simultaneously and suddenly their cat-dragon flew over and perched on their shoulders. "Go on."

"First let me say your little dragons are amazing."

"You can see them?" Asked Dalbreath.

"How could he, they're invisible," said Deearo.

"I have eagle eyes. I can see a great many things others cannot," he said, wishing he could smile for effect.